Colombia Travel Tips - Things Learned In Colombia

As I walk down a familiar street and turn down a familiar road, there are still observations I make. New observations, the kind of observations that make me have new insights. The kind of insights that make me go “Oooh”. You know what I am talking about. You have experienced it in your own home town before. Although I have traveled to Colombia four different times, there were still things I learned on my last trip. Through familiar cities and familiar cultures an familiar streets observations and “Ooohs” kept coming. Here are a handful of them:

• Traveling with a loved one is one of the best ways to travel. When you travel with a loved one it enhances everything you do much more.
• Traveling is a great way to test any relationship. I can tell you we had some rocky times on this trip and we learned a lot about each other on the road. It really makes you learn more about someone… and even more so, yourself.

• Work or Play? - As a travel writer and photographer, it was ESPECIALLY hard to keep the two balanced. I was having so much of a good time, I forgot about work. And when I was working, I forgot to have a good time.
• Colombians are all about family. I was invited to eat with the family, check out housing with the family and I was expected to be interacting as if I was part of the family. It is main staple to Colombian life. It made it seemed like I was married already… that can be scary to some.
• Keep it simple. Especially at the border areas of Sapzurro, it was key to make sure to keep it simple. There are no roads there and not a lot of amenities. My iPhone was saw as thing that was not needed as well as my high tech camera. Good thing my laptop was tucked away most of the time.
• Practice your Spanish… at all times. My girlfriend spoke most of the time which made it hard for me to speak for myself. It made it seem like I was not friendly. I have travelled Colombia alone before and was very open to talking, but even when some is talking for you, talk for yourself in the language. Otherwise, you become the dumb foreigner.
• Semana Santos is a rough week to travel. It is the day that everyone else in the country goes to visit their family. Expect high volume of other travelers. Even the news was covering the travel week. The only shame is that I did not get to be on TV.

• I am glad I took the airfare to Medellín because it is a gorgeous, organized and amazing city. It can be considered the London of South America. It is one of the best travel places. It is no wonder why there are so many expats that live in Medellin. That and the women wear less clothing due to the nice weather.
• I am still in love with the travel to BBC, aka Bogota Beer Company. It is my favorite reason to go to Bogotá and have a great craft beers.

• Estereo Picnic Festival in Bogotá was awesome and Crystal Castles puts on an Amazing show.

Crystal Castles at Estereo Picnic Bogota - iPhone

Again after 4 times visiting, I still have a lot to learn about Colombia, even though I learned a lot last time. And that is yet another excuse to return. What do you think of these tips? Do you have any tips to leave about Colombia? Leave a message below, send us a tweet on twitter, or post on our facebook. Heck even send us a message. Let us know, we want to share it with others.